Review - A Dark and Deadly Journey

 This is another historical intrigue series that I have found and enjoy. Here are the prior books in the series and my reviews.

1) A Traitor in Whitehall (click here) 

2) Betrayal at Blackthorn Park (click here) 

Today I will review the third in this series.  Let's see how it stacked up below.

Author: Julia Kelly

Copyright: Sept 2025 (Minotaur) 300 pgs

Series: 3rd in Evelyne Redfern Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Spy Intrigue

Main Characters: Evelyne Redfern, newbie agent

Setting: World War II era, Primarily set in Lisbon, Portugal

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb: "After being sidelined for a pesky gunshot wound, typist-turned-field agent Evelyne Redfern is ready for her next assignment with Britain’s secretive Special Investigations Unit. When a British Intelligence informant in Portugal mysteriously disappears just after hinting that he has vital information about German plans that could tip the balance of World War Two, Evelyne and her dashingly irksome partner, David Poole, are sent headed to Lisbon to find him.

Once they land, Evelyne and David aren't even able to leave the airport, before she discovers one of their fellow airplane passengers murdered and uncovers a diary with a clear link between the victim and their missing informant. With their mission in jeopardy before it can truly begin, Evelyne and David fight to keep their cover intact as they descend deeper into the shadows that surround Lisbon’s glittering collection of wealthy expats and dangerous spies. This case will test Evelyne and David’s training, charm, and wit—and their growing attraction for one another."  

My Thoughts:    

Evelyn is smart and pretty self sufficient. In this outing she returns to duty after a bullet wound has mostly healed.

Aunt Amelia is the only family Evelyn has in her life since her father travels the world and doesn't even check in on her. Aunt Amelia is strong willed yet tender with Evelyn.

Mr. Fletcher, the head of a secret department investigating crimes in the wartime intelligence branches (SIU-Special Investigations Unit), sends her to find the missing agent and asks Evelyn to contact her father as a secondary mission. He explains the second mission is off the books, to determine if her absentee father is hobnobbing with Nazis in neutral countries indicates he is a Nazi sympathizer or if he could become a British confidential informant against them. But this part of the mission she is alone, and if she gets caught he would deny he asked her to do this mission.

Mrs white, supervisor of all field agents, shows no compassion. She doesn't like Evelyn and shows it as she dings her for even the slightest move outside of protocol.

David Poole is her partner in investigations, more seasoned in the field, and a by-the-book guy. In this outing it seems they are closer... or are they? 

Lisbon is a fascinating backdrop for the story. Portugal is neutral in the war, so Lisbon is crammed full of spies trying to turn Portugal to ally with their side. Evelyn sees the glamorous gambling venues like Estoril Casino as well as the coffee shops and police stations.

The plot is fairly straight forward with Evelyn working two missions simultaneously, in a foreign country where there is no actual privacy and even British Embassy staff may be questionable in allegiances. The sense of isolation is taut and I found myself on edge.  Well done there.  

The tension remains high throughout and every chapter has another tidbit in either mission. Will the missing agent be found alive? Will she find her father? Will she share with David about her second mission?  Will they get out alive?  The climax is scary and exciting, nail-biting even. Excellent job.

The wrap up is usually just long enough to give a little closure to any remaining questions and subplots, but in this case there was one final but huge twist on the last couple of pages. I won't lie, it was like a punch in the gut. Wow.

Rating:  Near Perfect - Buy two copies: one for you and one for a friend. 

Here are two short videos about spying in Lisbon:

THANK YOU for reading this blog and please recommend to friends and family who will enjoy it.

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